Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[muffy1]

Do you have a phone # for Ottawa by chance?

For all those who are in need of information and have not been able to get any from Buffalo, contact Ottawa instead. I rang the call center again this morning since the tracking number provided for my returned passport is either invalid or has not been activated. The agent said that I should contact Ottawa. Given that the only reason I received a response with my tracking number from Buffalo is because I emailed Ottawa awhile ago and they forwarded the email, this seems like good information.

 

[oreidapennsyltucky]

Do you have a phone # for Ottawa by chance?

I've not seen a phone number and they seem to be pretty slow. This is the contact information I was sent:

Sir, Madam,

Thank you for contacting Citizenship and Immigration Canada. I am pleased to follow up on your request:

Case Processing Pilot – Ottawa; Ottawa, Ontario

If you wish to contact the Case Processing Pilot – Ottawa (CPP-O) office in Ottawa, Ontario, please visit our Web site.

Please note that you can also contact the office by fax at (613) 946-6059 or by email at OttPilot-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.

 

[kitchloo]

From this thread:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/passport-submission-buffalo-office-closing-t106563.0.html
(Posted by "chappan")

..."I too called Canadian consulate today and pressed Option 7 (for general inquiry). The lady I spoke with said that as long as the passports were received on or before 31st May, the Buffalo office will take care of them..."

Of course, not everything they've told us has been true, but we do know that Buffalo is still mailing out passports. Hopefully all of you will get your passports back very soon.

 

[oreidapennsyltucky]

Good info, Kitchloo.

Just to clarify, when I recommend that people contact Ottawa, it's not because I think Buffalo has closed all operations. At least in my case, the only reason I received a tracking number is because Ottawa prompted them to get in touch with me. I emailed Buffalo and they only sent me a generic response. I emailed Ottawa, they contacted Buffalo, and Buffalo responded to me. Stupid? Yes. Ineffective? Yes. Typical? Yes!

 

[amaranth]

STEAM FTW.

+1 ;D

 

[kitchloo]

Good info, Kitchloo.

Just to clarify, when I recommend that people contact Ottawa, it's not because I think Buffalo has closed all operations. At least in my case, the only reason I received a tracking number is because Ottawa prompted them to get in touch with me. I emailed Buffalo and they only sent me a generic response. I emailed Ottawa, they contacted Buffalo, and Buffalo responded to me. Stupid? Yes. Ineffective? Yes. Typical? Yes!

I'm glad you contacted Ottawa and that they made Buffalo respond to you. They always think they can get away with completely ignoring us on serious matters - and having someone's passport IS a serious matter, especially when they won't give you a straight answer on its whereabouts.
Typical indeed. I still think their incompetence was the reason they were shut down.

 

[kitchloo]

COPR just arrived. 13 months of frustration for a piece of paper. lol Now onto the next step....

 

[Isometry]

COPR just arrived. 13 months of frustration for a piece of paper. lol Now onto the next step....

Congratulations!

Moving's a hassle, but I much preferred it to waiting because at least I could do something, you know?

 

[kitchloo]

Congratulations!

Moving's a hassle, but I much preferred it to waiting because at least I could do something, you know?

Thanks! Yes, the worst part is over. That was a very irritating experience, to put it mildly.

 

[oreidapennsyltucky]

COPR just arrived. 13 months of frustration for a piece of paper. lol Now onto the next step....

Congrats!!!

 

[kitchloo]

Congrats!!!

Thank you!

Question: The letter we received says, "If you are already in Canada and have valid temporary resident status, you now have the choice of either obtaining your permanent resident status in Canada or leaving Canada and re-entering at a port of entry."

My husband has a work permit that is valid until August 25. Stupid question, but does that count as temporary resident status? Does anyone know?

 

[amaranth]

Thank you!

Question: The letter we received says, "If you are already in Canada and have valid temporary resident status, you now have the choice of either obtaining your permanent resident status in Canada or leaving Canada and re-entering at a port of entry."

My husband has a work permit that is valid until August 25. Stupid question, but does that count as temporary resident status? Does anyone know?

Congrats!

I can't answer your question specifically, but depending on where you are, going to the border to land would likely be the fastest and easiest way to do it either way. I've seen people post saying scheduling an appointment to land in Canada is taking several weeks now. A day trip (or mini vacation) might be the way to go!

 

[kitchloo]

Congrats!

I can't answer your question specifically, but depending on where you are, going to the border to land would likely be the fastest and easiest way to do it either way. I've seen people post saying scheduling an appointment to land in Canada is taking several weeks now. A day trip (or mini vacation) might be the way to go!

Thanks so much! That's good to know. Lewiston–Queenston, here we come (once my husband gets the title of his car, which is en route).

 

[cgagnon]

COPR just arrived. 13 months of frustration for a piece of paper. lol Now onto the next step....

Congratulations!!! Wishing you all the best!

 

[rjessome]

Thank you!

Question: The letter we received says, "If you are already in Canada and have valid temporary resident status, you now have the choice of either obtaining your permanent resident status in Canada or leaving Canada and re-entering at a port of entry."

My husband has a work permit that is valid until August 25. Stupid question, but does that count as temporary resident status? Does anyone know?

Yes.